Help with shotgun

[joeksr]

Not real familiar with shotguns. do a lot of rifle shooting.
I have a fairly new browning semi auto.
I used an older model with the raised barrel and had no problem hitting what I was shooting at. With the new one I'd be better off throwing it at a bird.
On a pattern board my spread starts exactly under my point of aim and goes down from there. Center is fine just low. Probably explains why any birds I get have no feet. As it is, the only way I could hit is to "cover' the bird and not see what I'm shooting at.
Heres My question.

I heard there is a butt piece that is adjustable up and down, since there are no sites I guess you have to adjust the stock. Anyone heard of this ?
I figure if I can adjust the stock to change point of aim with a butt piece, I can then get the stock modified.
does this sound like a reasonable plan ?
Appreciate any info. It's embarrasin.

[nauti dog]

a shot gun need to shoot where you look. it sounds as if the gun does not fit you. if the gun fits and its shooting where you are looking it is a simple case of stopping the gun. do not aim the gun. think of shooting shot guns like swinging a baseball bat. its just all hand and eye. just my two cents.

[gottaflylee]

Sounds like the drop in the stock is not set to you. I guessng that this gun was not fitted to you when you bought it. You should be able to go to a good gun smith and get him to fit it to you. It will be worth every penny it costs. If you want to try and do it your self, try first by trying to lengthn the stock by putting a recoil pad on it and see how that patterns for you, but from what you say I think that the stock is to long, as you said your taking their feet off.
I would go to the gunsmith and get it done right...

[joeksr]

It was not fitted. Off the shelf.
I'll find a good gunsmith.
Not much use to me as it is now.


Thanks.

[Deep C]

Rest the butt in the crotch of your elbow like you might hold it upright. With your hand on the grip put your index finger in the trigger guard, The trigger should be where your second bone begins (the back of the first joint) if it doesnt make it there the stock may be a tad long. If your finger extends to or past the second joint its too short.
Stock may or may not be a part of the problem. I find dificulty just between barrels on my 870 Remington. I can do well with my 30" fc but cant the side of a mountain with my 28" mod. Then my short barrel 20" comes into play. That has become my everything barrel switching chokes as I go. IC for buckshot or rifled slugs, Rifled tube for copper solids, a Carlson FC steel long range for ducks with #3 shot is positively lethal from that barrel. An undertaker xf for turkey and #4 is the ticket there. Sounds weird shooting basically a deer barrel for birds but the chokes are doing the work...
I too have a browning semi. One of those fancy pheasant two shot ones... She swings like a dream, feels so smooth but I have trouble hitting fast movers like doves or quail. I guess I need some time with the clay birds and that gun because she fits, is balanced, just havn't dialed her in yet...

[Glenn W]

Joe,
your best bet is just as you discribed--- find a gunsmith or gun fitter and see what they can do. Length of pull as Deep discribed is but one factor in a properlly fiiting shotgun. Another factor is the Comb angle. I know Beretta provides vaious wedges on some of their guns (wedges are not the proper name) to enable an adjustment to comb angle, but I don't know about Browning.
Shotguns are no different than golf clubs--- shelf bought units are made to fit the average man-- whatever that is. However, if a golf club doesn't fit you, it doesn't matter how fancy the shaft and head is, you ain't going to do well with it.

[Rhodekill]

Most newer Browning semi's you can get a smaller bead up front. It will clear the site picture and leave the feet on your birds.

[joeksr]

Thanks folks. Looks like finding and visiting a good gunsmith is the thing to do.

[Bill_N]

Almost sounds like the buttstock is short, but in any event, yes, take it to a gunsmith. But, if it's going to amount to any serious money I'd just trade it on a new gun that fits you.

Bill

[joeksr]

I'm gonna try to do this on the cheap.

I'll do the "Deep" crotch trick.
Then the "Glen W" see if I can get a Wedgie trick , not sure I'm gonna like this one.
then the "Rhodekil"l take the bead off the front trick .

If all that fails I'll the "Bill N" trick and tell my son I've got a great trade for him and see if he buys it. I can shoot his 12 ga.